Jealous stalker who broke into ex-partner’s home is jailed

A jealous stalker who broke into his ex-partner’s house armed with a kitchen knife has been jailed for more than five years.

Glenn Armstrong bombarded the woman with unwanted messages prior to breaking into her Spennymoor home at around 4am on Thursday, January 2.

In the messages he threatened to kill the woman and one of her friends saying he had access to “knives, guns, and dogs”. He also told the woman: “20 years in jail don’t bother me, I’ll laugh cos you’ll be dead haha.”

Officers attended the scene on an immediate response and arrested Armstrong, who was found at the top of the stairs in possession of a large kitchen knife.

He was Tasered and taken into police custody where he was later charged with aggravated burglary and stalking involving fear of violence and remanded in custody.

The 37-year-old, of Spennymoor, pleaded guilty to both charges and was jailed for five years and four months at Teesside Crown Court yesterday (April 7).

He was also handed an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the woman.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said: “All the constant messages and calls from him made me feel really intimidated. I have asked him to stop countless times and he never does.

“I have tried to block him and stop him from contacting me but he just finds another way to do so. I don’t know what else I could have done.

“This has made me feel so stressed. I am worried about my own safety now. I worry that Glenn will come to the property again, contact me, try and harm me – all of these thoughts are just going around in my head and I need him to leave me alone.”

PC Lynette Baker, from Bishop Auckland Safeguarding Team, led the investigation. She said: “This was a terrifying incident for the woman who woke up in the middle of the night to find Armstrong in her home armed with a knife.

“His actions that night were abhorrent and left the woman fearing she would be killed.   

“Thanks to her quick-thinking actions by calling the police, we were able to detain Armstrong and quickly bring him into custody.

“I hope this sentence allows her to move on with her life and provides her with some degree of comfort, knowing that justice has been served and that Armstrong is now behind bars. 

“If you are experiencing stalking, no matter how small or insignificant you think your stalker’s behaviour is, tell someone. As police, we will do everything we can to investigate and bring your perpetrator to justice and can provide safeguarding, support, and reassurance. 

“If you’re not ready to report to the police, we work alongside a number of partner agencies and charities who can help.”

If you’re experiencing stalking, call police on 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.

Reports can also be made online at www.durham.police.uk

More advice and support:

• National Stalking Helpline – 0808 802 0300
• Suzy Lamplugh Trust – suzylamplugh.org
• Alice Ruggles Trust – alicerugglestrust.org
• Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service - paladinservice.co.uk